Stayed up until the wee hours of the night figuring this one out, did we? Or did you wake up from a slumber with a brilliant idea?!? Either way, it looks like it'll work and yes...I'm impressed! We're all anxiously waiting to see the whole kit in all its big blue glory! It has been a pleasure following this restoration, John.

I'm having a ton of fun doing it, Aaron. Yeah, it was one of those 'lightning-bolt' ideas that just came to me full-blown in my head. I saw the mount in my head, I collected the parts I needed from the stash and put the sucker together. It looked so cool when I assembled it, it was like it was made that way originally. Everything went together and fit so well, no muss, no fuss.

The big benefit for me is; I get to set the drums up 'modern style' 2-up/2-down with nothing hanging off the bass drum. I'll be able to play it like any normal, modern kit. The toms won't be all over the place in awkward to play positions. I'm going to have some serious 'Thunder of the Gods' fun with this kit.

John

Nice solution John. I like the felt idea too. If for some reason the toms sag (hopefully not!) Slingerland used a piece of metal covered in rubber to hold the toms like a brace towards the bottom of the toms. This one was the dual clip mount which was pre set-o-matic.

Have a look at this. A even better fix but along the same lines.

http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=43610

Looking Great ! I have been out for a few days. Performing. The toms look wonderful. I would leave the original bottom tacked head on there for now. It is a workable original part. But I do know you like things to match perfectly. I am like that too. I am glad you came up with a way to use those original bands with that stand. Line the insides and you should be fine. I think it is going to look awesome with those. I thought they were pretty cool to begin with but I did understand you not wanting to use them on the bass drum. I think you found the solution. Like ffr428 said, if the toms sag you can come up with something to brace them so they sit even.

Looks like you are almost home. Have you set the toms in those holders yet to see how they look and fit ?

Really enjoy watching the progress!! Look forward to adding pics of the kit to the 'W&A Vintage Venue' page on the W&A website. I just added a some pics on the W&A home page of George Bernard (the builder that built your W&A set), Robert George Bernard (his son) and Rob Kampa (todays W&A drum builder). http://www.walbergandauge.com/

Great idea on the double tom holder John! I love it when you have an idea, and everything just falls into place. I see the finish line.

Another idea - just in case!

If the "U" on top of the MIJ mount bends outward at all from the weight of the toms, you could run a single bolt through there, with 3 nuts, holding the spades on the "U". I'm certain you know what I mean...

Great thinking on that stand!

I don't expect that there will be much flexural stress on the tom holder, but if there is any, I will most certainly incorporate some, if not all, of the corrective suggestions made. 'Should be' ok though. The unit is rock solid and stable and the toms are deceptively light in weight, so I'm not anticipating problems.

I'm working on a unique logo for the bass drum. I'll unveil it when I present the completed kit.

Jeremy - Enjoyed reading the history! I'm excited about having my kit appear in the upcoming book. :D

Moving and grooving...

John

I love this thread John. It's a regular stop now.

:D I'm having a ball doing it, glad you're enjoying the proceedings.

Greg wrote: "Great idea on the double tom holder John!"

The idea hit me like a lightning bolt! What really made it possible was that MIJ dual spade-arm tom holder that's been collecting dust in my basement for years. LOL :p

John